Electric connecter



July 11, 1933. F. L. WEISS ELECTRIC GONNECTER Filed May 29, 1931 1N V151! TOR: Frank L We/ss Patented July 11, 1933 FRANK L. WEISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC CONNECTER Application filed May 29, 1931. Serial No. 540,841.

This invention relates to fuses in connection with plugs particularly adapted to connect the feed wires of small electrical appliances or devices to a service or supply current, and it is the principal object of the invention to provide such a plug with a remov: able fuse which will be destroyed when a short circuit occurs thereby automatically cutting off the electric energy to the electrical appliance or the like. Another object is to provide a fuse of this kind so constructed that it is possible to use the same in connection with standard plugs or socket fittings. Still another object is to provide in such a fuse means permitting a visual examination of the fuse strip proper to determine Whether the fuse is blown. Further ob- I jects reside in the arrangement of the component parts of the fuse and otherdetails of construction more fully described hereafter and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which preferred forms of a fuse embodying the principles of the invention are shown.

In the drawing 1 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a fuse illustrating a preferred embodiment Fig. 4 a horizontal sectional view along the plane of line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal-sectional View of a modified form of a fuse;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the plane of line 67-6 in Fig. 5, partly in elevation;

Fig. 7 is a plan View of the same; and

Fig. 8 a horizontal sectional view alon the plane of line 88 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of another modified form of a fuse shown with a special plug used in connection therewith;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view along the plane of line 1010 in Fig. 9, partly in elevation;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view along the plane of line 1111 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 a plan view of the fuse shown in Figs. 9 and 10; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view along-the plane of line 13-13 in Fig. 11.

Like characters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views and the following specification.

' Referring to Figs; 1 to 4, 15is a fuse body made of suitable insulating material substantially cylindrical in shape, having a flange 16 projecting around its top. The fuse body is provided with a cylindrical recess 17 to receivea glass insert 18, substantially cross like and shaped to fit closely within the recess 17. 19 is a flange around the top of the insert 18 conforming in size to flange 16 of the fuse body 15. 20 and 21 are slots through the glass insert, rectangular in cross section'having restricted openings 22 and 23 at the top. The extreme bottom ends of the insert 18 are provided with cut-out portions 24. 25 is a square extension projecting from the bottom of the insert 18 to terminate in a correspondingly shaped socket 26 at the bottom of the recess 17. 27 and 28 are sockets in the bottom of recess 17 in alignment with respectively, slots 20 and 21 to receive the ends of contact arms of standard plugs.

Contact arms 29 and 30 are fastened to the bottom of the recess 17 by means of screws 31 and 32 or the like which are disposed within the cut-out portions 24 of the insert 18, and project through the fuse body 15 downwardly, as shown. '33 and 34 are contact terminals fastened similarly to the bottom of the recess 17'by screws 35 and 36 or the like.

The terminal 33 is bent upwardly to enter slot 20 of the glass insert and is then bent downwardly again upon itself. Terminal 34 is similarly shaped and extends into slot 21 of the insert.

37 and 38 are fuse strips connecting, respectively, contact arm 29 with contact terminal .34 and contact arm 30 with contact terminal 33, being held in position by the heads of screws 31, 32, and 35, 36.

The fuse strips 37 and 38 are placed over ridges 39 and 40 on the bottom of the recess 17 which raise the centers of the strips slightly.

41 is a metal shell placed around flanges 16 and 19 to hold them together. The top of the shell is hexagon shaped as shown at 42 in Fig. 3 when used with low ampere ratings in accordance with underwriters specifications.

In actual service the contact arms of a standard plug enter slots 22 and 23 of the glass insert to engage the terminals 33 and 34, whence the circuit is closed through fuse strips 37 and 38 and arms 29 and 30 which project into a standard socket where they engage the customary contacts as well known inthe'art.

When the line is short circuited-or overloaded the circuit will be interrupted by the melting of the strips 37 and 38, instead of blowing the fuse at the mam fuse box. The intermediate fuse body can thus ve conveniently be disconnected and replace without disturbing .otherappliances or li hts m which ma be hooked up to the same ine.

The glass msertmakes it possible to examine the fuse to see whether the strips were actually melted or whether the blowing occurred at another or main fuse. 1 In Fi 5 to 8 inclusive is shown a modified form 0 intermediate fuse. In this t pe a cylindrical fuse body 15a made of insu atin material has a flange 16a projecting aroun its top, and an inner cylindrical recess 17a 20 to receive an insert 181 also of msulatm material, substantially cross sha ed and fitte. closel within the recess and 'ush with the top 0 flange 16a. 20a and 21a are rectangular slots through the insert 180: having restricted openings 88a and 23a at the top.

The extreme bottom ends of insert 18a have cut-out portions 24a. 25a is a rivet having a head 26a, passing through a shouldered core in the center of the insert to hold the same together with fuse body 15a. 27a and 28a are sockets inthe bottom of recess 17a in alignment with, respectively, slots 20a and 21a to receive the ends of contact armsof standard plugs.

Contact arms 29a and-30a are fastened to the bottom of the recess 17a by means of screws 31a and 32a or the like, and project through the fuse body 15a downwardly, as shown. 33a and 34a are contact terminals 40 fastened similarly to the bottom of the recess 17a by screws 35a and 36a or the like. The terminal 33a is bent upwardly to enter slot 20a of the insert and is then bent downwardly again upon itself. Terminal 34a is similarly shaped and extends into slot 21a of the insert.

37a and 38a are fuse strips connecting, respectively, contact arm 29a with contact terminal 34a and contact arm 30a with contact terminal 33a, being held in position by the heads of screws 31a, 32a and 35a, 36a. Fuse strips 37a and 38a are placed over ridges 39a and 40a on the bottom of the recess 17a to raise the centers of the strips. The cut-out portions 24a of the insert 18a are provided to clear the heads of the just mentioned screws. The top of the insert 18a is provided with slightly raised flanges 22b and 23b surrounding restricted openings 22a and 23a. 24a: is a disk of mica placed over the top of the flange 16a and insert 18a. This disc of mica ,is cut out to fit around the raised flanges 22b and 23b. 41a is a metal shell placed around flange 16a and the mica disc 24 to hold them together, the top of the shell being hexagon 1 to 4 inclusive, described above. Because the insert 18a is not transparent, a cross shape has been used to'be able to observe thecondition of the fuse strips 37a and 38a as is clearlg apparent by inspection of Fig. 8.

In igs. 9 to 12 is shown another modification of an intermediate fuse used in combination with a special plug where space limitations prevent the use of the kind shown in Figs. '5. to ,8 but substantiallyinverted, consisting 'of a ody 15b made of insulating material, having a flange 16b projectin around its bottom, and an inner c lindrica recess 17 b to receive an insert 18 also of insulating material and substantially cross shaped and fitted closely within the recess, flush with the bottom of flange 16b, 20b and 21?) are rectangular slots through the insert 186. The extreme top ends of insert 18b have cut-out portions 24?). 25b is a rivet having a head 26b passing through a shouldered core in the center of the insert'to hold the same together with fuse body 156. 27 b and 286 are rectangular slots through the top of the fuse body 15b in alignment with, respectively, slots 20b and 21?), having restricted openings at their top 200 and 21a. 29b and 30?) are rectangular slots through the top of fuse body 15b substantially at rightangles to slots 27?) and 28b and somewhat less in length than 97?) and 28 6, also having restricted openings 29c and 300: 33b and 34?) are contact terminals fastened to the top of recess 17b byscrews 35b and 366 or the like. The terminal 33?) is bent upwardly to enter slot 27?) of the fuse body 156 and is then bent downwardly again upon itself terminating within slot 20?). Terminal 34b is similarly shaped and extends into slot 286 terminating within slot 21b. 31b and 326 are other terminals somewhat narrower than terminals 336 and 34b fastened also to the top of recem 17 b by screws 33c and 33d. These terminals extend, respectively, into narrow slots 29?) and 30?) through the fuse body 15?). 37b and 38b are fuse strips connecting, respectively, wide terminals 336 and 34b with narrow terminals 316 and 326, being held in position by the heads of screws 35?), 36b, and 33c, 33d. Fuse strips 37?) and 38?; are placed over ridges 39b and 406 on the top of the recess 17 btto raise the centers of the strips. The cut-out portions 241) of the insert 181; are provided to clear the heads of the just men tioned screws. The bottom of the insert 18?) is provided with slightly raised flanges 20d and 2103. 240 is a disc of mica placed over the bottom of the flange 16b and insert 18?). This disc is cut out to fit around the raised flanges 20d and 21d. 41b is a metal shell placed around flange 16b and mica disc 24c to hold them together, the flat part of the shell being cut out in hexagon form at 426 when used with low ampere ratings.

43 is a plug having a circular flange 44 and a reduced tubular center 45. 46 and 47 are contact arms fastened to the inside of the plug by means of screws 48 and 49 or the like. 50 and 51 are contact arms, somewhat narrower than arms 46 and 47, and much shorter, held to plug 43 by screws 52 and 53 or the like. 54 and 55 are positive and negative wires of an electric supply connection fastened, respectivel to terminals 50 and 51.

In attaching the intermediate fuse to the plug, the wide contact arms 46 and 47 are pushed through slots 27 b and 28b and slots 20b and 216 through which they project contacting with terminals 33b and 34b to be inserted into the usual slots of a standard socket. At the same time, narrow contact arms 50 and 51 extend into slots 29?) and 306 there to engage terminals 31?) and 32b. The principal advantage of this arrangement is that the greater part of the smaller diameter of the fuse body 15?) will fit withinthe circular flange 44 of the plug-43 greatly cutting down the distance between the plug and the socket to which the whole attachment is fastened.

It "will thus be seen that there are provided devices in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

It will be manifest that there is provided a simple, durable and efficient device which may be readily repaired or replaced, when the fuse blows, without necessitating the services of an expert and without causing any interruption of the working of other appliances on the same line.

While certain preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing fromthe spirit of this invention.

lVhat I claim as new, is:

1. -In a separable electric connecter embodying a plug adapted to be inserted into an electric socket, a member intermediate the said plug and socket having a body, an in-v 2. In a separable electric connecter embodying a plug adapted to be inserted into an electric socket, a member intermediate the said plug and socket having a body, an insert fitted within the body having a pair of slots, a pair of contact arms fastened to the body and extending therefrom for insertion into a socket, a pair of contact terminals an electric socket, a member intermediate the i said plug and socket having a flanged body, a flanged insert of transparent material having a pair of slots fitted within the body and serving as a closure therefor, a pair of contact arms fastened to the body and extending therefrom for insertion into a socket, a pair of contact terminals within the body and extending into the said pair of slots for suitable engagement with contact arms from a plug,

fuse strips connectin'g'th'e said contact arms extending from the said body with the said a contact terminals, and a metal shell fitted over the flanges of the said body and insert for holding themtogether.

4. In a separable electric connecter embodying a plug adapted to be inserted into an electric socket, a member intermediate the said plug and sockct having a flanged body, a flanged insert of transparent material having a pair of slots fitted Within the body and serving as a closure therefor, a pair of contact arms fastened to the body and extending therefrom for insertion into a socket, a pair of contact terminals within the body and ex tending into the said pair of slots for suitable engagement with contact arms from a plug, fuse strips connecting the said contact arms extending from the said body with the said contact terminals, a metal shell fitted over the flanges of the said body and insert for hold ing them together, and ridges in the said body adapted to raise the centers of the said fuse strips.

- 5. In a separable electric connecter embodying a plug adapted to be inserted into an electric socket, a member intermediate the said plug and socket having a flanged body, a flanged insert of transparent material having a pair of slots fitted within the body and serving as a closure therefor, a pair of con tact arms fastened to the body and extending therefrom for insertion into a socket, a pair of contact terminals within the body and extending into the said pair of slots for suitable engagement with contact arms from a plug, fuse strips connecting the said contact 6. In a separable electric connecter embodying a plug adapted to be inserted into an electric socket, a member intermediate the said plug and socket having a flanged body, an insert fitted within the said body and flush with its flange having a pair of slots, a pair of contact arms fastened to the body and extending therefrom for insertion into a socket, a pair of contact terminals within the body and extending into the said pair of'slots for suitable engagement with contact arms from a plug, fuse strips connecting the said contact arms extending from the said body with the said contact terminals, a rivet securing the said insert to the said body, the said insert having cut-out portions for observing the condition of the said fuse strips, a sheet of transparent material placed over the flange of the said body and the said insert, and a metal shell holding the said sheet to the said body. j I

7. In a separable electric connecter embodying a plug adapted to be inserted into an electric socket, the said plug having a pair of long and wide contact arms and a pair of short and narrow contact arms, the latter pair having suitable connections for the wires of a supply of electric energy, a member intermediate the said plug and socket having a flanged body adapted to'fit partially within the said plug and having a pair of wide slots and a pair of narrow slots, an

insert fitted Within the said body and flush with its flange having a pair of wide slots, a pair of wide contact terminals within the body and extending into the said pairs of 'wide slots in the said body and insert, and a A pair of narrow contact terminals extending into the said pair of narrow'slots in the said body, fuse strips connecting the said pairs of contact terminals, a rivet securing the said insert to the said body, the said insert having cut-out portions for observing the conditionsof the said fuse strips, a sheet of transparent material placed over the flange of the said body and the said insert, and a metal shell holding the said sheet to the said body, the wide contact arms of the said plug adapted to project through the wide slots in the said body and insert to extend into a socket, and the narrow contact arms of the said plug being adapted to project into the narrow slots the other member having coupling prongs I adapted to be electrically and mechanical coupled to the spring members and also provided witha separate 'pair of prongs shorter than the first prongs, said last mentioned prongs having means for connecting electrical wiresthereto, and a separable fuse plug having; openings through which the first named prongs will project to engage the spring members of the first named plug member, said fuse plug being provided with fuse wire conductors and constructed to form a bridge between the short prongs and the long prongs, whereby the circuit between the coupled connecting plug members will be broken when the fuse blows.

9. An intermediate fuse'operative between the male and female members of a separable connecting plug, consisting of a body having prong receiving slots and a glass insert having slots registering with the first slots, contact members carried by the body and projecting into both slots, contact members carried by the body and spaced from the first contact members, a fuse strip connectin each adjacent pair of contact members, eac pair consisting of one of the first named contacts and one of the second named contact members, and a male connecting plug member having relatively long prongs insertable through the registering'slots to project beyond the body and provided with relatively short prongs adapted to engage the second? named contacts, whereby an electrical cir cuit is established between the two sets of contacts when the projecting prongs are in open circuit relation with a cooperating female connecting plug member.

10. A connecting plug consisting of ahollow body carrying male connecting prongs extending from one end thereof, and spring contact members within the body extending in a direction opposite to that of the prongs, a glass insert disposed in the body and having slots to receive the spring contacts, means for securing the glass insert to the body, and a fuse strip connecting each contact member to each prong member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK 'L. WEISS. 

